In Strawberry murder-suicide, one man recalled as beloved, the other troubled

The man who detectives suspect shot a Strawberry musician to death before taking his own life next door had always seemed strangely off base, the victim's family said.

Andreas Kreiden, 41, often visited his parents at their home at 152 Carlotta Circle, and his wayward manner quickly drew the attention of Ted and Kaye Rodden at 154 Carlotta.

Kreiden's behavior was so odd that Ted Rodden once described him as "the crazy guy next door," according to Stephen Rodden, Ted's brother.

"This neighbor guy was off mentally a bit, used to smoke constantly in the backyard while coughing continually and then throw the butts in my brother's yard," Stephen Rodden said. "He would also urinate through the fence on occasion."

Ted Rodden, 61, a veteran sound engineer at Rancho Nicasio, was found shot to death in his backyard Wednesday night, apparently slain as he prepared to polish his wife's shoes. On the other side of a fence separating the backyards, Kreiden was found dead as well, a rifle at his side.

Others in the area heard what sounded like a shot at about 1 p.m., followed by another several hours later. Rodden's body was found by his adult son at about 7:30 that night. Kreiden's body was found the next day by a deputy investigating the Rodden slaying.

Although Marin investigators provided no details Monday, a search of Kreiden's Calistoga residence by sheriff's deputies turned up a cache of guns that one observer said filled the trunk of a patrol car, according to a report in the Napa Valley Register. Calistoga acquaintances called Kreiden a loner who said little but kept his yard neat and was interested in trees, plants and nature.

Kreiden's parents, Wsewolod and Hannelore Kreiden, owned the Calistoga home. He visited them in Strawberry from time to time and sometimes stayed for months. They were out of town this month, apparently on a trip to Germany, and unavailable for comment.

Andreas Kreiden's behavior was so bizarre that Kaye Rodden told Wsewolod and Hannelore years ago "that he should be on some kind of medication," Stephen Rodden said. Kaye Rodden was unavailable for comment.

Ted Rodden was described by friends and family as a kind, gentle, passionate musician always eager to lend a hand to others. He was beloved by colleagues at Rancho Nicasio where he tended the sound and light systems for the bands performing there. He was an accomplished musician, playing mandolin and guitar in Sweet Leaf, a duo with wife Kaye. He was able to play a variety of other instruments as well.

Stephen described his brother as a "gentle, loving, giving, nonconfrontational" man who would not harm a soul, adding Ted would rather walk away from conflict than trade angry words. "He never held a grudge against anybody," Stephen said. "Everybody loved Ted."

Ted Rodden, the eldest of an Oklahoma clan that included five siblings, moved to Marin about three decades ago from the Boston area, where he played with musicians who won acclaim as The Cars. "He was the greatest, little-known musical genius who dedicated his life from the age of 12 to music," Stephen said. "Ted was a guiding light to many people, myself included," he added. "He was referred to as Pappy by his daughter Jessica and everyone picked up that tag for him."

"He had so much to give in life," the heartbroken brother reflected. "Why? Why? It's senseless. It just doesn't make any sense."

"I'm dying inside without him now and, as you can imagine, having all the regrets of not saying all the things to him I should have and letting him know how much I loved him."

Survivors include his wife, Kaye; son Jamie and daughter Jessica; parents, Raymond and Helen of Oklahoma; sisters, Karen and Pam, and brothers, Ray and Stephen.

Arrangements are pending but his body likely will be cremated and his ashes scattered near the trails of Mount Tamalpais, where he loved to hike.